Teen Titans Fan Fiction

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans, its Production Company, affiliates, and sponsors. Everything is fictional and any similarities between the characters and any living person are purely coincidental.

A/N: I am thinking about downgrading this to a T theme. Thoughts about doing so will be most appreciative, in either pm or review form. Thanks to everyone who's reading along.

Also, I just found out about stat tracker. 500+ hits on my story since I started it back up several days ago. Woo hoo! Though...6 reviews for that many hits, it's kinda depressing in a way. sighs Well on with the show, I told myself that as long as at least one person liked my story enough to tell me they did, I'd continue on with it. I'm holding myself to my word. Oh...I can't stand it. (gets on hands and knees) Please please please write a review...even if it's so sickening and makes you wanna rip out your hair because it stinks like milk that's been sitting on the counter for the past month. I'll pay you back in back rubs!!! ;) Just kidding! Let's get it started!!!!!

Legend -

Normal Font: Basic read and insight.

Bold: Change of location or time.

Italics: Individual thoughts and recollections.

SACRIFICE

As Robin, Madame Rouge, and Slade train their bodies, minds and spirits, Beast Boy's life hangs by a thread thanks to a noble sacrifice. With his friends grieving, can anyone stop Slade, Rouge or even Joker now?

Chapter 19 - Hope Returns

Starfire sat inside the medical wing of Titans Tower along with an ailing Beast Boy. She sat and watched as her friend lay silent, he never moved an inch, just breathed slowly as his vital signs on a small monitor were displayed. Beast Boy had received several sharp card blades into his back, as well as a laser beam that shot through him in his left chest cavity. It had missed all vital organs, but one of his major arteries to his heart had been hit. Had he arrived several minutes later, he would have been long gone by this point. It was definitely an uphill struggle for him, the only thing left to do was hope and pray in Beast Boy's will to live. It was hard seeing him like this: his body wrapped in bandages, several medical tubes stuck all through his body. Beast Boy deserved better than this, and there was nothing they could do for him now but wait. Wait to see whether or not he would pull through. Only a couple more hours ... Then, they would know if Beast Boy would have a fighting chance, or if things would just continue to decline for him.

As Starfire sat alone, she heard several beeps. She stood up. Did I just hear that, or is my mind playing tricks on me? Again, the beeps sounded, but Starfire could not hear where they were coming from. As they rang once more, she finally realized it was coming from her back pocket. She took out the dark communicator Robin had given her, and pushed the biggest button on it. Robin's voice came from it, "Starfire?"

Starfire was glad to hear his voice, even through these hard times. "I am here, Robin, no one else can hear us." She looked over at Beast Boy, even though he was in such pain, she still honored Robin's request.

"Good. I'm almost ready, can you meet me at the spot in an hour?" Robin responded. His training was complete, he had become part of the shadows once more, enough to deal with Slade or Joker. I hope by doing this, I can finally set things straight.

"Yes, Robin, though there has been a development..." Starfire started as Robin listened in, "Beast Boy was hurt in the battle with the one called Joker. Raven did her best to heal him and Cyborg as well, but it's still too early for us to know anything .. Cyborg says it will be another couple of hours before anything is known." Starfire's voice grew softer as she finished. The line was silent for several minutes before Robin finally spoke again.

"One hour, please be there..." The line went dead as Robin finished speaking. "Star...?" a familiar voice was speaking. Beast Boy's voice was talking to her now. Starfire teared up as she looked over and saw his eyes, now open and looking at her as he still layed on the hospital bed. He was awake and coughed once as he sat up, albeit with a little difficulty. "Star, I need to ask a favor..." Beast Boy was sitting up fully now. He put one hand on his knee, as he started speaking.

"Beast Boy!!!! You are ok!!!" Starfire shouted as she ran over and hugged him. "Owww owww owwwwwwwww!!!!" Beast Boy shouted as Starfire's hug was putting pressure on his wounds. Starfire let go suddenly. She put her hands to her mouth for a moment before apologizing, "I'm so sorry, Beast Boy! I did not mean to..." Beast boy waved as he understood she meant no harm.

"Star...I need you tell something to Robin when you see him." Starfire's cheeks went red. "You...heard everything?" Starfire asked as she looked down at the floor with both arms by her own sides. "Yeah, but it wasn't intentional, I heard his voice talking just as you two were finishing. Interesting gadget, I so wanna throw it around one day..." Beast Boy pointed to the device, still in her hands.

Starfire put it back into her pocket as Beast Boy continued to speak. "I have a pretty good idea what Robin was doing. In order to beat Joker, he went and became as close to his mentor as he could. After all, there's nobody who knows how to beat Joker better than him. He's the only one who can do it, Star, that battle showed me that much. Robin has to do it...alone. He probably knows this much, already. I need you to ask him to save the girl who Joker took prisoner. I saw him carrying her off into the sewers before I passed out completely. Ask him to do it in my place, he'll know what it means..."

Starfire nodded, but very slowly. Beast Boy was different. Something had changed about him, something that made him stronger. Perhaps, things were indeed changing around them all. "I will, Beast Boy, but right now, you need to rest..." She smiled as he nodded back. "Please, Starfire, tell him ... it's very important..."

"I will, Beast Boy, I promise..." Starfire tilted her head slightly as she smiled at him once more, then turned to the door. As she walked out the doors, she was frightened by the sight. Raven was also standing there, Cyborg was behind her. She went "Eeeep!" in shock. They both had apparently heard every word he had said. "Tell him, we're behind him 100 percent. I hate to admit it, but B.B's got a point, this is Robin's fight, not the Teen Titans." Cyborg had spoken first.

Starfire nodded and looked to Raven. "Just go, or you'll be late." Raven pointed down the hall as she spoke. Starfire smiled to both of them and flew down the hallway towards the elevator. Raven and Cyborg turned to the medical wing doors and walked inside. Beast Boy was still sitting there as they walked in. "Glad to see you up and about B.B." Cyborg was now smiling at him. He walked over and punched him in his head. "You do that again and I'll make sure you eat nothing but meat for a week!!!" Beast Boy stuck out his tongue, in understanding of what Cyborg meant. Cyborg smiled back, he turned slightly before saying, "Look, there's still a few things I gotta finish around the tower, get better, ok?" Beast Boy nodded and gave a thumbs up sign as Cyborg exited the medical wing.

Raven stood there. She didn't look at him, instead she opted for the wall across the room. Beast Boy's familiar voice spoke up again, "Look, you don't have to come down here and tell me you're happy I'm alive. I mean, it's a nice gesture and all, but I don't wanna throw you out of your rhythm or anything..." Raven turned her head towards Beast Boy. She clenched both fists and walked over to Beast Boy. She smacked Beast Boy upside the head. "I was really worried about you, you idiot! Nobody is allowed to beat you up except me." Raven had tears in her eyes again, but she didn't notice them as she continued, "Do you hear me? Nobody..." She broke down again and started crying in her hands. Beast Boy grabbed her left wrist and pulled her to him. Raven was surprised to find herself in his arms, he was hugging her, tight.

"It's ok, Raven. Crying is a natural emotion. If you don't let it out, it will find another way out, like that time we all saw that scary movie. Do you remember? I was so scared back then, but looking back at it all, I was really happy you were ok..." Raven closed her eyes and sobbed. She cuddled up to him, as he held her tighter. They both sat in silence as Beast Boy saw Starfire fly off towards the rocky cliffs to the east. The sun was about to set, soon it would be night. Robin...it's up to you, man. Nobody can do it but you. Please, save her! She still deserves a new beginning, a new life...

Raven felt warm, lying in his arms. Beast Boy had grown several inches over the past few months, he was as tall as she was now. It probably wouldn't be long before he was taller than she was. She listened to his heart beat as her tears were finally starting to dry. "When did you start acting like a man?" Raven spoke as they both sat alone in the darkness of the medical wing. It had just occurred to her, this was far from the Beast Boy they all knew and made fun of, constantly. Beast Boy chuckled for a split second. "When a man has to do what a man has to do, he acts. There are no other thoughts, only on what has to be done. It pains me to see you in this state, Raven. You deserve to have whatever you want, when are you going to let someone get to know you? How long are you going to hold up that brick wall between yourself and everyone else around you?"

Raven sat there, she didn't answer him. She turned her body so she was now laying back against him. "I don't know, Beast Boy, it's just that I've been tormented by my father for so long. I didn't want to let anyone else get close because I was afraid. Afraid of what they would think, but more so of being rejected." Beast Boy put his arms around her once more before speaking. Tilting his head, his cheek rested on her head. "If you're afraid of being hurt, then you really don't deserve that kind of relationship. That's what life is, Raven, no matter how many times we fall, or how many times we're rejected, we still fight on. Because having someone always there for you, someone who will listen to anything you have to say is truly worth taking that risk, isn't it?" Raven thought to herself silently. She felt Beast Boy's head sliding off her and she moved to see what it was. He was asleep, and was falling off of her. She caught him with both arms. Thank you, Beast Boy. I promise I won't make fun of your real name, anymore. She laid him back onto his pillow and with her powers, pulled the sheets up, tucking him in.

Meanwhile, at the rocky cliffs where Robin was doing his training...

Starfire landed onto the rocks where she had dropped off Robin almost a full day and a half ago. Robin...when this is all over, will you still accept my feelings? She shook her head at the thought, clearing it. Robin was doing something that would help him. Something that would help them both and the Titans. I'm far from being done with you, Robin... She sat down onto the rocks and watched the waves in the background. Several large and small ones hit the sandy shores as they struck. She saw a couple walking along the shoreline and smiled. The young man had put his hand over her shoulder and she had put her arm around his waist as they walked seemingly in another world. She looked up at the sky, several seagulls were hovering all around the people eating on the beach. A little girl had taken several crackers and threw them up into the air. The seagulls ate them all and hovered over her for more as the little one giggled at the prospect. Her mother and father behind her smiled as she ran back to them.

Starfire was able to think to herself now. She hadn't thought about the new bond that was forming between them. She stroked her hair, as she did, she closed her eyes. Robin...wherever this road is leading me, I hope from the bottom of my heart that you are standing with me at the end. I know you are doing everything in your own power to help everyone. You are working harder than anyone to stop something like what happened to Beast Boy ever again. I trust you, Robin. Please, when this is all over let us still be together... you are now the reason for all that I do.

"Starfire?" a familiar voice had called out from the shadows. Robin had packed his belongings and was still standing in the shadows. The sun was almost set. Stars in the sky were starting to take their usual positions all across the sky. Starfire stood up, she was very glad to hear his voice. Without thinking, she flew as fast as she could and hugged him. He didn't hug her back, but she didn't care. He was back, and that's all that mattered to her.

"Robin...Beast Boy has finally awakened! He asked for me to deliver a message to you..." Starfire began as she let go of him. She began explaining how Beast Boy has asked for him to save the girl who was kidnapped, as well as take down the Joker. She told him everything Beast Boy had told her, she had kept her promise. Robin did not speak, nod or acknowledge her. Instead, the only words he spoke were, "Let's go home." Starfire nodded, took his hand and they both flew off.

Starfire finally had a chance to look at Robin in the dim sunlight that still remained. His cape was much longer, it extended far beyond his feet. Instead of a yellow lining, it was now all black, and his face now showed no emotion. Looking ahead, they both flew as they approached Titan's Tower.

They both set down as Robin's cape extended to the ground. It covered his entire body as he walked towards the elevator doors. Robin had asked for me to trust what he was doing, I will honor his request for now, but that still does not mean I have to like this new look. Starfire was walking behind him as she followed, she was curious of what Robin did inside the cave, as well as why he had decided to go alone into the cave of darkness. She wanted to ask him a question, but he stopped and spoke up first, "Starfire...those words I spoke before I entered the cave..." Starfire's heart stopped as she heard him speak. Finishing, he continued, "I meant them, but please trust me with this." Robin pushed the elevator button. His gloves were still green, so he hadn't changed that much. He was still her Robin. Starfire smiled and nodded, but no one was looking. They both walked in and pushed the button to the lobby.

"Starfire, I want you tell the others to wait here at the tower and prepare..." Robin spoke as the elevator started down.

"Prepare for what, Robin?" Starfire asked, somewhat confused.

"Prepare for the innocent people that Joker will soon threaten. It's never easy with the Joker." He finished speaking and pressed another button, to the bottom floor. The elevator opened up at the main room to where Cyborg and Raven were sitting. "This is where we part for now." Starfire hesitated for a second, but walked out as she shook her head. He asked, and I shall honor. "I understand, and I will be waiting ... I will always be waiting to greet you with a smile." She smiled as she saw the elevator door close. Robin smirked as he disappeared from her sight. Walking over to Cyborg and Raven, she started to explain Robin's orders.

Meanwhile at a secret location...

Joker was laughing to himself. He was watching an early episode of "Looney Tunes". The coyote had just fell, far down into the canyon. "They sure don't make them like that anymore...hahahahaha!!!" Terra was wrapped in clear ceramic wrap. She couldn't move and for some reason, she couldn't use her powers. Shocked, she looked around. There wasn't anything around her that she could use to get free either. Not a rock was around them. It was a large room, several oil barrels were all around her. The walls were metal platted and the place reeked the stench of burning rubber. She looked over and saw Grog and Frog, they were setting up for a television broadcast.

Grog looked over at Joker and gave a thumbs up sign. Joker jumped from his seat. "Oh goodie, the fun's about to begin! And lookie here!! Our blond bombshell has finally woken up as well. You have impeccable timing, my dear." Joker started giggling to himself. "Why can't I use my powers?" Terra shouted at him.

Joker turned around and punched her midsection. "Now now, you're going to spoil my mood. You're no longer on land, so those menacing powers of yours won't work here. Now, I really do hate an assistant who talks, so here!" Joker took out a roll of duct tape, stretched out a long piece and stuck it across Terra's lips. What do you mean? I'm no longer on land?!

"5 minutes until show time, boss." Frog announced. Joker walked over to a small cabinet off the set. He took out some make up and re-applied several layers to his face. "Oh goodie, it's about time people noticed what I'm doing. This sneaking around the shadows stuff that Metal Mouth wanted me to do was boooooooooring." Joker laughed again to himself. "All right bat brat, time to see if you've learned anything...hahahaha!"

Back at the scene where Beast Boy and Terra had fought Joker...

Robin was huddled down. Using his flashlight, he scanned the entire area. He reached down into his utility belt and put on his night vision goggles. Scanning the entire area, he found a small pool of blood. Probably Beast Boy's... Moving along, he saw where the old float was. His goggles found a small device below the old float. He reached under and pulled it out. It was the old transmitter. Once it had reached the destination point halfway down its route, Joker gas would be released from the area. His hands were filled with a liquid like substance. It had rubbed onto his gloves when he pulled the transmitter. He put the transmitter on the ground and kneeled as he examined the liquid. He rubbed the liquid together with his fingers and smelled it. Oil? He pulled out from his utility belt a small glass container. Unscrewing it, he put the black liquid into the container, sealing it back up, and put it back into his utility belt. He picked up the old transmitter and further examined it. Turning it around, he used his right index finger and bent it, now showing a screwdriver. He unscrewed the four screws and looked inside.

What? Empty?! Joker's plan had not been to wipe the city's parade inhabitants with Joker gas. Instead, it was to capture a Titan who responded. But Beast Boy was left for us to find. So who else would there be? Robin squinted his eyes. Terra. The girl who Beast Boy had asked Robin to bring back. He didn't want Starfire to worry, so he didn't mention her name. The pieces were starting to fit. Hoping back onto his motorcycle, he started it and sped off back towards Titan's Tower.

Back at the Tower...

Starfire, Raven and Cyborg were all sitting on the couch in silence. Raven had made some tea, and was sipping on it silently. Cyborg had made himself a small meal. He finished his last bite of steak and set the plate onto the table. Starfire had elected to write her thoughts down in a small journal. All three were waiting for Joker to make his move. Starfire had filled them all in on what Robin's order was. They did not answer, but nodded in agreeance.

The television turned on automatically. "Cyborg, did you sit on the remote again?" Raven's eyes were looking sideways at him.

"No, the remote's right there." Cyborg pointed further down the table. He was right as it was sitting on several magazines. He walked over and picked it up. Pushing the power button and pointing it at the screen, nothing happened. Cyborg looked down at it, tapped the back several times then tried again. A figure in the shadows was standing there. It finally spoke, "Don't bother adjusting your television at home folks, your normally scheduled programming has been interrupted by a special broadcast..."

The figure came out into the light. It was the Joker, and he walked slowly towards the camera. "Why it's me ... everybody's lovable and favorite Joker!!!!" Joker bowed down several times, to acknowledge his audience. "I've decided to take a small vacation from Gotham to spread some cheer to this town. Everybody's going to get a special treat, we're going to show you just how we do things in the big city...hahahaha!" Joker's figure on the screen walked over to his right. Starfire, Cyborg, and Raven all stood up. Robin was right, things were never easy with the Joker. They didn't expect to see what happened next though.

Joker spoke again, "Why, we've even got ourselves a very special guest today!!! Don't just leave everybody hanging, announce yourself to the world!!!" The light turned on, exposing a young girl. With blond hair and blue eyes, Starfire, Raven and Cyborg gasped as the familiar figure of Terra was exposed. She was bound with plastic ceramic wrap, with her mouth duct taped and was literally hanging by a hook. "Oh that's right, you literally ARE hanging...hahahaha! That's if Bat Brat can't find her by 12:00 midnight." He pointed at his watch, it showed 9:45. He laughed once more out loud. Joker walked over again to a large table. On it, several cardboard cutouts were standing. "Oh lookie, it's an exact replica of Jump City! It's even got it's own railroad station." Joker looked at his watch one more time. "By gosh, the 10:30 train is supposed to arrive over above the mall in 45 minutes! Jump City, wanna guess a hobby of mine? Why, it's blowing up bridges of course!!!"

A screen turned on behind him. On it, Grog and Frog were standing, planting explosives on the support bridge that went over the city's mall. "Grog, Frog! Will you do us the honors?" Joker bowed as he asked.

"Sure, boss." Frog answered. They both led a wire and a large box with a lever attached away from the bridge for several feet. Grog pushed the lever and the bridge collapsed, crashing into the city's mall. Several people scattered from the mall as flying debris came from the ceiling.

"Oooooo...I just love it when that happens..." Joker's voice echoed through once again. Terra was squirming, her voice was muffling through the duct tape.

"Oh, what's this? The little blond teenie bopper wants to say something ... what is it you wish to share?" Joker asked as he pulled off the tape. Terra shouted, "Some of my friends from school take that train every night!!!" Joker slapped the tape back on her as she finished. "Well, it just means that people on that train actually have some value to someone out there." Joker laughed as a tear came from Terra's cheek. "That is, unless Bat Brat tries to save the train. Come on, Robin! Let's find out if you're good enough to tangle with me...hahahaha!" The screen went blank as he finished.

Meanwhile, on the streets of Jump City...

Robin was watching his monitor on his bike as the Joker's image left the screen. His bike screeched to a sudden halt and turned around. Doing a wheelie, the bike's engine revved several times before speeding off the other way.

As Robin speeds to save the people on the train, Terra finds herself unable to use her powers. Beast Boy has asked a huge favor from Robin. Can the Dark Knight's apprentice pull off what his mentor had done so many times before?

Next time: The Train

Raven, Starfire and Cyborg receive orders they don't like. Joker's scheme is in full effect as Robin battles wits with Joker. You won't wanna miss it!